International Networks to Rep STAR’s Indian Channels in U.S.

CENTENNIAL/HONG KONG, May
15: Comcast’s International Networks, an aggregator of multi-ethnic programming
in the U.S., has struck a deal with News Corporation’s STAR Group to represent
five of its Indian channels to MSOs throughout the U.S.

The
agreement will see most of the channels included on International Networks’
transponder and available for MSOs immediately. The five channels included in
the agreement are: STAR India Plus, a Hindi pay-TV channel featuring soap
operas, reality and game shows; STAR India Gold, offering
a wide variety of Bollywood films; STAR India One, a Hindi entertainment
channel serving up a diverse mix of programming aimed at urban, upscale Indian
audiences; STAR India News, a 24-hour Hindi news network that covers politics,
business, investigative reports, consumer issues, crime and the environment;
and Vijay, a Tamil entertainment channel featuring content like talent hunts,
music shows, sitcoms, thrillers, reality fare and dramas.

“International Networks is
the leading aggregator of ethnic language programming in the U.S. and we are
thrilled to have them represent five of our Indian channels to MSOs across the
country,” said David Wisnia, the senior VP for distribution and sales and head
of STAR’s North American and European offices. “We look forward to increasing
our distribution to cable homes across the U.S. so that more South Asian
viewers can enjoy top-rated entertainment from back home.”

“As the Indian American
consumer segment has grown, so has the need for operators to have quality South
Asian content to stay competitive,” added Michael Scott, the VP of affiliate
sales and marketing at International Networks. “International Networks is
excited to partner with STAR to provide five of India’s most popular channels
to help MSOs better reach this lucrative demographic.”

—By Irene Lew